Prep is extremely important andthe material to be sprayed cannot be too clean. 
interior dye
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
I bought the spray type from Ecklers to ensure that I got the correct color for my year's interior. Prep is most important. Before application you must clean, clean and clean again with a good vinyl prep/cleaner to get all the years of Armorall and other oils out. When you think you've cleaned it enough, clean it again. Otherwise, vinyl paint will not adhere properly and you will see uneven texture. Any auto paint store will have the vinyl prep/cleaner you need. Use a toothbrush to scrub and get in the nooks & crannies.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: SHERMAN TEXAS
I Have Used Oxblood Dye From Ecklers As Well . Great Match. I Recommend Cleaning Well And Also Using An Adhesion Promoter. Local Auto Paint Store Carries This
Sand Free Sem 38363 In A Spray Can.
Sand Free Sem 38363 In A Spray Can.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: SHERMAN TEXAS
I Left Out That A Used A very Fine Scotch Brite After Cleaning And Dont Get In Hurry . Lay Light Cotes And Dont Put Too Much Or You Will Lose Your Texture. My Dash Console And Pillar Pieces Look Brand New. I Dont Know How Well It Would Hold Up For Seats Though.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Barrie Ontario
Some of the advice you've already received...clean, clean and then clean again, and then again. If you don't you'll be Very, Very Sorry.
It takes a lot of time and effort, but then again it will be worth the exercise for sure. The dye can be purchased from your local automotive paint supplier (the place that the auto body guys get their products from) They can match any colour with any year of your car (they have the catalogues and the computers to do this easily). Then ask their advice as well. The more you research, the better. That phrase "trust me" is so true from myself...I did my '77 from buckskin to dark blue (77 colours) and it worked perfect. I took all the parts out and had them spread out in the garage. Taking out was easy, puting back took a lot of time for fear of scratching...but to my surprise, no scratches anywhere. The key, let the part cure for at least 3 days before reinstalling.
Good Luck and have fun, because it is a lot of cleaning!
Domer.
It takes a lot of time and effort, but then again it will be worth the exercise for sure. The dye can be purchased from your local automotive paint supplier (the place that the auto body guys get their products from) They can match any colour with any year of your car (they have the catalogues and the computers to do this easily). Then ask their advice as well. The more you research, the better. That phrase "trust me" is so true from myself...I did my '77 from buckskin to dark blue (77 colours) and it worked perfect. I took all the parts out and had them spread out in the garage. Taking out was easy, puting back took a lot of time for fear of scratching...but to my surprise, no scratches anywhere. The key, let the part cure for at least 3 days before reinstalling.
Good Luck and have fun, because it is a lot of cleaning!
Domer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
I have done 2 cars now and I prefer the can to the spray can only because with the can I know who made the paint/dye. I prefer Dupont it seems more durable (not as easy to scratch)
The first one I did I used the spray can from one of the supporting vendors and it looked good no complaints. I Just think the Dupont is wearing better on the one I did using Dupont from a can. The only other advice I can offer that has not already been mentioned is on color matching. Be sure you are doing ALL of the interior pieces at once. I am a stickler for everything to match on color. When I bought the vette I have now it had gunmetal interior with leather seats. I dyed all the panels (didn’t want to dye the leather) but the seats are just a little different shade.
I will be going to black this winter for the simple reason the color is easy to match. My interior from the factory was green so mine really doesn’t matter what color it is, I am not going to have green interior.
The first one I did I used the spray can from one of the supporting vendors and it looked good no complaints. I Just think the Dupont is wearing better on the one I did using Dupont from a can. The only other advice I can offer that has not already been mentioned is on color matching. Be sure you are doing ALL of the interior pieces at once. I am a stickler for everything to match on color. When I bought the vette I have now it had gunmetal interior with leather seats. I dyed all the panels (didn’t want to dye the leather) but the seats are just a little different shade.
I will be going to black this winter for the simple reason the color is easy to match. My interior from the factory was green so mine really doesn’t matter what color it is, I am not going to have green interior.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,997
Likes: 0
yes, i know the feeling, my car was red/red .... a little too much for me, i re-did the seats in lt saddle (color correct for year with a paint job in a dark burgundy, not year correct) looks great so far, just have this one other thing.... you know how it goes...
, one big money pit
, one big money pit
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
I got spray cans from Willcox, had the best price and they all come from Corvette America. Wherever you get it, get enough at one time so that it's all from the same dye lot, no worries matching from one can to the next. Good luck, It's not as hard as you think.
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If you dye it, you can always re-dye it. If you paint it....it's done. Dye doesn't have much thickness and it bonds to the surface. Other than cleaning the surface [from years of Armor-all, etc.], dyeing is simple--spray it & let it dry 20 minutes. The critical factor in dyeing is BUYING THE RIGHT BRAND OF DYE. Everyone makes it...everyone sells it. All I know for sure is that SEM dyes work and stay on the surface. Buy them at auto paint supply stores. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I used Krylon Fusion paint for plastics on my dash and console and other assorted parts. First I cleaned THOROUGHLY, getting 35 years of cigarette smoke, air polluton and whatever else off the parts. Then I used Duplicolor adhesion promoter. It is a clear spray and laid a good base to the original factory pieces. Then a couple coats of the Fusion paint and the reinstall.. I did it in the winter so the parts sat in my basement for a couple of months. Is is perfect? No. Is it good? Yes. I had to redo one piece because I did not get all the smoke off. I get compliments on the interior and no one can notice which panels are repros (doors and top dash) and which panels are done with the rattle can. One of you guys could see the difference but I never get any corvette guys looking at my car. Total cost.....about $10.00.....
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
If you dye it, you can always re-dye it. If you paint it....it's done. Dye doesn't have much thickness and it bonds to the surface. Other than cleaning the surface [from years of Armor-all, etc.], dyeing is simple--spray it & let it dry 20 minutes. The critical factor in dyeing is BUYING THE RIGHT BRAND OF DYE. Everyone makes it...everyone sells it. All I know for sure is that SEM dyes work and stay on the surface. Buy them at auto paint supply stores. Good luck.
Little confused. Don't know of anything dyed in early 70's vettes. The vinyl is the color of the interior. The plastic pieces were painted to match. Maybe I'm wrong??(wouldn't be the first time)
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
dye
I am a technical advisor for Parasol Inc. I can answer all questions concerning dyes. It is very important to me not to violate any of this forums spamming rules, so please feel free to contact me personally at: jstapertfam@insightbb.com
